If you were allowed only one lens for the K3....

PaddyKajinski · 12-13-2016, 06:20 PM

I am toying with the idea of buying a K3 for a big trip. Not having any experience of pentax before the sheer range of pentax lens has me stumped. I have a Ricoh GR at 28mm and Sigma DP3m at 75mm. I have a big trip coming up, but realize that the Sigma has a narrow shooting window (100 ISO) and would like a more "does it all" camera and preferably single lens, but which?

If you were allowed a single lens for a k3 which would you go for?

Thanks

**clackers** · 12-13-2016, 08:33 PM - **1 Like**

We all have different styles and tastes, Paddy.

For you, why don't you put a DA18-135 or DA 16-85 or Sigma 17-50 f2.8 on it?

mee · 12-13-2016, 08:43 PM

One does it all type lenses are rife with big compromises. Yes, all lenses are a compromise. But the all-in-one mega super ultra large zooms are the worst at it (16-300 or 18-270 as example).

I'd not want to chose one lens. but if forced, I'd do as clackers suggested as well.. and just use an 18-135, 16-50, 16-85, or a 17-50mm. depending on what I was shooting. If in the city, any of those choices would do.

If out near a nature reserve or forest, you might need something longer such as a Pentax 55-300mm

But then you don't have much wideness in the range. The problems with limiting yourself to one lens...

Driline · 12-13-2016, 08:45 PM

My FA 31. Nice and manageable. I would also bring my color polarizer with it as well.

kshapero · 12-13-2016, 08:48 PM

yes for sure a prime.

**pres589** · 12-13-2016, 08:53 PM

K5-II owner here. I would grab my 18-135. For a little more room I would add my 15 Ltd.

**lithedreamer** · 12-13-2016, 09:22 PM

I prefer the FA Limited trio for walking about the FA 31mm Limited, the 43mm Limited and the 77mm Limited. You could take just two. Or you could go with the 16-50 or the 50-135 for solid constant aperture zooms (though I'd prefer ones converted to screwdrive autofocus). The latter combo is much heavier, but a bit more versatile (though I like the extra light the primes give me). People recommend other zooms, but I find I always need more light.

To actually answer the question:

16-50. Zoom with your feet, and its weather sealed.

**othar** · 12-13-2016, 09:29 PM

I don't own one but from what I have read the 16-85mm lens seems like a good candidate as a general purpose lens. But what's the right lens for you heavily depends on what you are planing to photograph. If you plan on visiting mainly european cities you might consider something in the 10-20mm range as well and maybe bring as addition a small 50mm or 35mm lens for portraits along.
I usually do landscapes, cityscapes and sometimes architectural fotography and I use lenses from 8mm (fisheye) to usually 100mm for that. If you are planing on doing wildlife photography you propably need something in 200mm+ or even 300mm+ range.

The Squirrel Mafia · 12-13-2016, 09:33 PM

I tend to do a lot of wider shots so it would be out of a Pentax 16-85mm if I'll be around water & bad weather or a Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 if I'll be in good weather & low light.

**bpv_UW** · 12-13-2016, 10:19 PM

Originally posted by Driline

My FA 31.

Yep. Versatile FOV and great for landscapes, street, portraits, low light, etc. Was my favorite lens on the K-3.

**UncleVanya** · 12-13-2016, 10:34 PM

Well. I would have to think about what I wanted to capture. I also would dwell on how photographically friendly my traveling companion(s) were.

For a trip years ago to Paris I took the 18-55 and 50-200 and a k100d Super. The next time I went I took a Panasonic LX-7 compact. I did so due to the traveling circus I call my family. The first trip was just my wife and I. The second trip included a teen a pre-teen a father in law, and a mentally handicapped brother in law alone bag with me and my wife. The DSLR wasn't an option.

Taking a DSLR with one lens is tough. I'd likely use the 18-135 I have plus a DA 15. But if I was buying from scratch the DA 16-85 would likely get my $. Slower but longer range than the 16-50 as well as lighter. But honestly the trip matters. How far and what other gear starts to push the decision.

**Tony Belding** · 12-13-2016, 10:40 PM - **2 Likes**

When I don't need telephoto, I find the 20-40mm Limited is very pleasing. If that's not enough zoom range, then the 18-135mm is a popular all-in-one compromise.

The sad fact is, every zoom lens covers the same basic range: from not-wide-enough to not-long-enough.

Qwntm · 12-13-2016, 10:55 PM - **1 Like**

One lens for a K3 would be the HD 21mm LTD.

Or the HD 20-40 WR if I thought I'd be in the rain.

Or the HD 15, 18-55 WR (or 20-40)and HD 55-300 WR if I had more than 1 lens.

Personally for a big trip it would be the HD15mm, HD 21, HD 35 and HD 55-300 WR with a K3II for the GPS for me...

One lens, really?

**lithedreamer** · 12-13-2016, 10:58 PM - **1 Like**

The FA 43 and 77 have interchangeable front caps, if you didn't mind bringing a duo.

wibbly · 12-13-2016, 11:04 PM

the 16-50 and 50-135 are a beautiful combination. i have a bunch of primes but if flexibility is of great concern they are a no brainer.

12-13-2016, 06:20 PM	#1
PaddyKajinski New Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 2	If you were allowed only one lens for the K3.... I am toying with the idea of buying a K3 for a big trip. Not having any experience of pentax before the sheer range of pentax lens has me stumped. I have a Ricoh GR at 28mm and Sigma DP3m at 75mm. I have a big trip coming up, but realize that the Sigma has a narrow shooting window (100 ISO) and would like a more "does it all" camera and preferably single lens, but which? If you were allowed a single lens for a k3 which would you go for? Thanks

12-13-2016, 08:33 PM - 1 Like	#2
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	We all have different styles and tastes, Paddy. For you, why don't you put a DA18-135 or DA 16-85 or Sigma 17-50 f2.8 on it? Last edited by clackers; 12-13-2016 at 09:08 PM.

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12-13-2016, 08:43 PM	#3
mee Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 7,403	One does it all type lenses are rife with big compromises. Yes, all lenses are a compromise. But the all-in-one mega super ultra large zooms are the worst at it (16-300 or 18-270 as example). I'd not want to chose one lens. but if forced, I'd do as clackers suggested as well.. and just use an 18-135, 16-50, 16-85, or a 17-50mm. depending on what I was shooting. If in the city, any of those choices would do. If out near a nature reserve or forest, you might need something longer such as a Pentax 55-300mm But then you don't have much wideness in the range. The problems with limiting yourself to one lens...

12-13-2016, 08:45 PM	#4
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,697	My FA 31. Nice and manageable. I would also bring my color polarizer with it as well.

12-13-2016, 08:48 PM	#5
kshapero Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: South Florida, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 437	yes for sure a prime.

12-13-2016, 08:53 PM	#6
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,529	K5-II owner here. I would grab my 18-135. For a little more room I would add my 15 Ltd.

12-13-2016, 09:22 PM	#7
lithedreamer Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,799	I prefer the FA Limited trio for walking about the FA 31mm Limited, the 43mm Limited and the 77mm Limited. You could take just two. Or you could go with the 16-50 or the 50-135 for solid constant aperture zooms (though I'd prefer ones converted to screwdrive autofocus). The latter combo is much heavier, but a bit more versatile (though I like the extra light the primes give me). People recommend other zooms, but I find I always need more light. To actually answer the question: 16-50. Zoom with your feet, and its weather sealed.

12-13-2016, 09:29 PM	#8
othar Site Supporter Join Date: May 2014 Location: Linz Photos: Albums Posts: 3,098	I don't own one but from what I have read the 16-85mm lens seems like a good candidate as a general purpose lens. But what's the right lens for you heavily depends on what you are planing to photograph. If you plan on visiting mainly european cities you might consider something in the 10-20mm range as well and maybe bring as addition a small 50mm or 35mm lens for portraits along. I usually do landscapes, cityscapes and sometimes architectural fotography and I use lenses from 8mm (fisheye) to usually 100mm for that. If you are planing on doing wildlife photography you propably need something in 200mm+ or even 300mm+ range.

12-13-2016, 09:33 PM	#9
The Squirrel Mafia Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 3,054	I tend to do a lot of wider shots so it would be out of a Pentax 16-85mm if I'll be around water & bad weather or a Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 if I'll be in good weather & low light.

12-13-2016, 10:19 PM	#10
bpv_UW Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Rochester, MN Posts: 765	Originally posted by Driline My FA 31. Yep. Versatile FOV and great for landscapes, street, portraits, low light, etc. Was my favorite lens on the K-3.

12-13-2016, 10:34 PM	#11
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,398	Well. I would have to think about what I wanted to capture. I also would dwell on how photographically friendly my traveling companion(s) were. For a trip years ago to Paris I took the 18-55 and 50-200 and a k100d Super. The next time I went I took a Panasonic LX-7 compact. I did so due to the traveling circus I call my family. The first trip was just my wife and I. The second trip included a teen a pre-teen a father in law, and a mentally handicapped brother in law alone bag with me and my wife. The DSLR wasn't an option. Taking a DSLR with one lens is tough. I'd likely use the 18-135 I have plus a DA 15. But if I was buying from scratch the DA 16-85 would likely get my $. Slower but longer range than the 16-50 as well as lighter. But honestly the trip matters. How far and what other gear starts to push the decision.

12-13-2016, 10:40 PM - 2 Likes	#12
Tony Belding Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Hamilton, Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 778	When I don't need telephoto, I find the 20-40mm Limited is very pleasing. If that's not enough zoom range, then the 18-135mm is a popular all-in-one compromise. The sad fact is, every zoom lens covers the same basic range: from not-wide-enough to not-long-enough.

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12-13-2016, 10:55 PM - 1 Like	#13
Qwntm Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Eastern Oregon Posts: 856	One lens for a K3 would be the HD 21mm LTD. Or the HD 20-40 WR if I thought I'd be in the rain. Or the HD 15, 18-55 WR (or 20-40)and HD 55-300 WR if I had more than 1 lens. Personally for a big trip it would be the HD15mm, HD 21, HD 35 and HD 55-300 WR with a K3II for the GPS for me... One lens, really?

12-13-2016, 10:58 PM - 1 Like	#14
lithedreamer Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,799	The FA 43 and 77 have interchangeable front caps, if you didn't mind bringing a duo.

12-13-2016, 11:04 PM	#15
wibbly Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Edmonton Posts: 600	the 16-50 and 50-135 are a beautiful combination. i have a bunch of primes but if flexibility is of great concern they are a no brainer.